Expandable drawer organizer

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of an expandable drawer organizer for segregating articles within a drawer are disclosed. Each embodiment utilizes at least one tray maintained in slidable agreement with another a tray, providing for the expandable drawer organizer to be varied to approximate the dimensional constraints of the subject drawer. Each embodiment further employs a locking mechanism for securing the associated trays in a user dictated predetermined position. Additional embodiments utilizing various arrangements of an expandable partition that may be arranged in unique configurations within the various trays is also disclosed. Several embodiments having retainers for further limiting the movement of the expandable drawer organizer within the drawer are also presented. Several embodiments are also disclosed and claimed that seek to more exactly retain various utensils i.e. cutlery, in one such embodiment additional storage is provided in a hidden compartment.

CLAIM FOR PRIORITY OF INVENTION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/081,572, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,380,874 issued on Jun. 3, 2008, andclaims the benefit of, and priority to, that application which was acontinuation-in-part application claims the benefit of U.S.Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 10/957,404, Expandable DrawerOrganizer, filed 4 Oct. 2004, which claims the benefit of U.S.Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 10/641,482, Expandable DrawerOrganizer, filed 16 Aug. 2003, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/446,196, Expandable Drawer Organizer,filed 10 Feb. 2003 presently abandoned in accordance with 35 USC .sctn.119 (e); and U.S. Design application Ser. No. 29/200,991, ExpandableKnife Holder and Storage Unit, filed 8 Mar. 2004 presently co-pending,in accordance with 35 USC .sctn. 120.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/081,572, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,380,874 issued on Jun. 3, 2008, andclaims the benefit of, and priority to, that application which was acontinuation-in-part application claims the benefit of U.S.Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 10/957,404, Expandable DrawerOrganizer, filed 4 Oct. 2004, which claims the benefit of U.S.Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 10/641,482, Expandable DrawerOrganizer, filed 16 Aug. 2003, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/446,196, Expandable Drawer Organizer,filed 10 Feb. 2003 presently abandoned in accordance with 35 USC .sctn.119 (e); and U.S. Design application Ser. No. 29/200,991, ExpandableKnife Holder and Storage Unit, filed 8 Mar. 2004, in accordance with 35USC .sctn. 120; the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated byreference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention specifically relates to an expandable drawerorganizer for accommodating drawers of various sizes and a method forthe organization of various articles within a drawer.

2. Description of the Related Art

The efficient organization of various articles within a drawer, whetherthey are tools, cutlery, hardware, toiletries or other sundry items, haslong presented a problem for the users of such items. One such attemptto address the problem has been by the use of boxes positioned withinthe drawer. However, an inherent shortcoming of this approach is theneed to arrange individual boxes into a specific arrangement tailoredexclusively to the drawer or other like drawers having the samedimensional configuration. Another drawback is that the boxes may noteffectively utilize the drawer area, resulting in an underutilization ofthe drawer storage capacity, due to the ill fit of the boxes. The use ofboxes also raises a durability concern for the user, especially whenheavy, bulky or sharp items are concerned which, require that the userfrequently replace, repair or discard the damaged boxes. Yet, anotherissue that this approach fails to address is that of portability; as theboxes are limited to the present configuration within drawers havingsimilar dimensional constraints thereby creating further issues ofunderutilization based on the drawer area and individual box dimensions.Even if this particular limitation can be overcome, the user issubsequently presented with the time consuming and burdensome task ofdisassembly and reassembly of the configuration within the new location.It would be advantageous to have an organizer that overcomes the issuespresented by this approach.

Another approach is the use of separators, which span either the width,or length of a drawer, which may be of either non-adjustablepermanent-type, adjustable permanent-type or temporary construction.These each suffer the inherent difficulty of being specific to thedrawer where they are employed and typically lack interchangeabilityamong drawers having different dimensional configurations, this point ismost pronounced with the permanently affixed and adjustablepermanent-type separators. Often, these approaches require that thedrawer be customized to accommodate the separators and prevent themovement or collapse of the separator when the drawer is opened orclosed, especially when containing heavy articles, i.e. tools, hardware,dishes, etc. This solution in the case of adjustable permanent-type andtemporary separators, like the use of the boxes before, require the userto carefully configure the arrangement of the separators to form spacesthat are specific to the article(s) in question, in order to assureoptimum utilization of the drawer area. In the case of thenon-adjustable permanent-type separators, the user must given carefulconsideration to the materials to be organized in the drawer, as futuremodifications imposes the need to remanufacture the drawer toaccommodate the new arrangement. Both non-adjustable and adjustablepermanent-type separators force the user to incur the increased cost ofcustom drawers and related components necessary to facilitate the usethese separators. In attempts to address the issue of cost concernsnative to the non-adjustable and adjustable permanent-type separators;temporary separators have been introduced which, are constructed of lessdurable materials that often lack the structural integrity required toretain heavy articles without the separator sustaining damage. The userof such temporary separators is often faced with the repeatedreplacement of the separator over the lifetime of the drawer. Lastly,the use of both permanent-type and temporary separators present animpediment to cleaning the drawer base, as the individual articles mustbe removed to allow for cleaning the interior drawer surfaces. A devicefor organization of articles within a drawer that addresses the failingsof this approach would be most desirable.

In an endeavor to surmount the inadequacies posed by the previousattempts to compartmentalize drawers by use of either boxes orseparators, the use of expanding trays as typified by U.S. Pat. No.5,738,425, Adjustable Drawer Organizer has been developed. Although,this device appears to remedy the aforementioned list of deficienciespresented by its precursors, there are a number of distinct newlimitations that are imposed upon the user. The first being, that theconfiguration of these trays is fixed and inflexible, as the traycompartments cannot be rearranged to suit an individual user preference.This issue is further compounded when the expandable organizer isexpanded, in such an instance the user is presented with one traysection comprising permanently affixed separators, which establish rigidconstraints regarding the compartmentalization of the section, and atleast one open tray section wholly devoid of any partition foroptimizing the arrangement of articles in the section. This problemrequires that boxes must be employed in concert with the expandableorganizer to achieve an acceptable means of segregating articles withinthe open section(s) of the organizer. Attempts to utilize separators inthe open section(s) of the organizer fail to generate configurationsother than elongated compartments, which may vary from narrow to broadin width. Further efforts to customize the compartments require the userto fashion components specific to the compartment width and secure theseto the tray section or separator. The resulting arrangement is aregression to the permanent-type separator approach that is specific forthe drawer in question. Another significant issue regarding the drawerorganizer is retaining the position of the organizer within a drawer,given a drawer of length greater than the organizer and articles ofnotable mass. The typical approach has been to affix feet constructed ofnon-slip material to the bottom of the organizer, and to rely upongravity and friction to secure the position of the organizer within thedrawer. However, when the organizer contains articles of notable massand the drawer is opened with sufficient force, so as to impart momentumto its contents, the organizer may be slammed to the rear of the drawerand the contents may be disrupted. A device for organization of articleswithin a drawer that could eliminate these concerns would be of greatadvantage to a user.

It would be most desirable to a user to have an organizer, whichovercomes the collective disadvantages posed by each of the aboveapproaches in the storage of articles in a drawer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, an expandable drawer organizer relates to anapparatus for segregating articles within drawers, having differingdimensional parameters. Various aspects of the invention are novel,non-obvious, and provide various advantages. While the actual nature ofthe present invention covered herein can only be determined withreference to the claims appended hereto, certain features, which arecharacteristic of the embodiments disclosed herein, are describedbriefly as follows.

A first aspect of the invention provides an expandable drawer tray forsegregating articles in a drawer, wherein a base tray having at leastone recess in one of either the front and rear side panel is slidablyconnected to a first nesting tray having a corresponding protuberance inone of either the front and rear side panel; wherein the base tray andfirst nesting tray are expanded to a predetermined length in a drawerand maintained in relative position by an locking mechanism. In afurther embodiment, the assembled base tray and first nesting trayfurther comprising a ledge on opposing first (widthwise) side panels ofthe base tray and first nesting tray, which are substantially parallelto the top plane of a selected drawer. In another embodiment, theunderside of the ledges that are in direct contact with the drawer mayhave inserts comprised of an anti-friction material, i.e. TEFLON®,melamine, plastic, polished marble, felt or other similar surface thatwill afford the expandable drawer organizer to glide upon the topmostedges of the drawer. In another embodiment, at least one roller may belocated in the ledge so as to permit the drawer organizer to roll on thetopmost edge of the drawer without damaging the drawer. This aspect islargely repeated in another embodiment of the invention having a basetray, first and second nesting tray, slidably connected with a similarlocking mechanism for securing the trays at a predetermined lengthwithin a drawer. This aspect permits a user to optimize the use of thedrawer space constraints without being limited to a set drawerdimensions, thus providing for interchangeability of the expandabledrawer organizer and overcoming the previously mentioned portabilitylimitations. In another embodiment the base tray may comprise a at leastone angled row configured so as to provide for a unique storagearrangement for spices, medicines, hardware or other individuallypackaged items stored in small containers. In a further embodiment, theangled row may also have at least one position about its length of agiven size and shape to accommodate a corresponding container. In afurther embodiment, the angled row may be hollow and may furthercomprise at least one hidden storage compartment, whereby the user mayplace additional items. In another embodiment, either or both of thefirst and second nesting trays may comprise an angled row configured soas to provide for a unique storage arrangement for spices, medicines,hardware or other individually packaged items stored in small containersand may further comprise a hollow structure wherein at least one hiddenstorage compartment may be located, whereby the user may placeadditional items. In another embodiment, the base or first nesting traymay have at least one angled slot located in correspondence in theinside front and rear panels, or the inside first side panel walls,whereby a user may insert a row insert into the slot to form a row. Inanother embodiment, the base or first nesting tray may have at least onerecess in correspondence, in the inside front and rear panels, or theinside first panel walls; that may receive a row insert having acorresponding protuberance located in a first and second end. In anotherembodiment at least one detachable cleat may be located at apredetermined position within the bottom panel that may secure thebottommost edge of the row insert. In a further embodiment the rowinsert may have at least one peg located about the bottommost edge thatmay be received in a corresponding hole in the bottom panel of the basetray or first nesting tray.

A second aspect of the invention provides for a detachably connectedexpandable partition that is tensionably extended to a predeterminedlength and therein secured in an angled or normal position to opposingpanel walls by a locking mechanism comprising spring-loadedprotuberances that are received in corresponding recesses, wherein theexpandable partition may be arranged in a number of unique user definedarrangements. This aspect directly overcomes the previous need for acustomized drawer tray configuration, while simultaneously maintainingthe desired interchangeability of the organizer between drawers ofdiffering dimensional constraints. In another embodiment, the expandablepartition may comprise a variety of shapes to accommodate specificcontainers and accommodate individually packaged items to permitoptimization of their storage. In a variant of this embodiment thepartition may comprise a panel of a given length having a plurality ofslots or recesses to receive a slotted non-expandable divider of a givenlength and configuration or another expandable divider oriented suchthat slotted elements are in agreement which may normally engageadjacent partitions, panels or the sides of the drawer directly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a perspective view of an assembled two trayexpandable drawer organizer, having a base tray and a first nestingtray, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a drawing showing a perspective view of an assembled threetray expandable drawer organizer, having a base tray, a first nestingtray and a second nesting tray, in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is a drawing showing a perspective view of an unassembled threetray expandable drawer organizer, having a base tray, a first nestingtray and a second nesting tray, in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a drawing showing a detail in perspective view of the lockingmechanism of the base tray and first nesting tray of the expandabledrawer organizer prior to engagement, in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is a drawing showing a detail in perspective view of the lockingmechanism of the base tray and first nesting tray of the expandabledrawer organizer after engagement, in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 is a drawing showing a side view of an assembled two trayexpandable drawer organizer, showing the base tray and first nestingtray secured by a locking mechanism in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is a drawing showing a perspective view showing one example of apossible orientation of an adjustable partition and a first nesting trayof the expandable drawer organizer, in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is a drawing showing a side view of an alternate embodiment ofthe locking mechanism securing the base tray and first nesting tray ofan assembled two tray expandable drawer organizer.

FIG. 9 is a drawing showing a side view of an alternate embodiment of atwo tray expandable drawer organizer having an additional lockingmechanism securing the base tray and first nesting tray, wherein a tubewith a protrusion in the bore, attached to the base tray; is received bya rod with indentations, attached to the first nesting tray.

FIG. 10 is a drawing showing a side view of an alternate embodiment of atwo tray expandable drawer organizer having an additional lockingmechanism securing the base tray and first nesting tray, wherein a rodwith indentations attached to the base tray; is received by a tube witha protrusion in the bore, attached to the first nesting tray.

FIG. 11 is a drawing showing a perspective view of another embodiment ofan assembled two tray expandable drawer organizer, secured withextendable retainers in a drawer.

FIG. 12 is a drawing showing a perspective view of an embodiment of theexpandable drawer organizer with a base tray having a knife blockconfiguration, wherein the knife block topside is removed to revealadditional storage in the base tray, in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 13 is a drawing showing a perspective view of an embodiment of thefirst and second nesting tray having a knife block configuration,wherein the knife block topsides are removed to reveal additionalstorage in the base and first nesting tray, in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 14 is a drawing showing a top view of an embodiment of theexpandable drawer organizer having a first and second nesting tray,wherein the base tray and first nesting tray demonstrate a configurationto accommodate an assortment of utensils, wherein the knife block isremoved to reveal additional storage in the base tray, in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an assembly drawing showing a perspective view of anembodiment of the expandable partition having a configuration to retaincutlery, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an assembly drawing showing a perspective view of anotherembodiment of the expandable partition having a configuration to retaincutlery, wherein the given length of the expandable partition is fixedand an extendable retaining arm is shown, in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 17 is a drawing showing a perspective view of both embodiments ofthe expandable partition installed in an expandable drawer organizerhaving a first and second nesting tray, wherein the expandable retainersdemonstrate a configuration to accommodate an assortment of cutlery arelocated in the base tray and first nesting tray, in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 18 is a drawing showing a perspective view of an embodiment of theexpandable drawer organizer wherein a guide pin in the first nestingtray is received in a slot in the base tray, in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 19 is a drawing showing a perspective view of an embodiment of theexpandable drawer organizer wherein a guide pin in the first nestingtray is received in a slot in the base tray and the side edges of thebase tray and first nesting tray rest upon the drawer sides, inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a drawing showing a perspective view of an embodiment of theexpandable drawer organizer wherein a guide pin in the first nestingtray is received in a slot in the base tray, and the first nesting trayhas a series of recesses to provide for an expandable partition to serveas an angled row insert with a base support cleat, in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 21 is drawing showing a perspective view of another embodiment ofthe expandable partition wherein a spring-loaded tensioning element isemployed in conjunction with protuberances found at the first and secondcontact surfaces corresponding to recesses in the expandable drawerorganizer, in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a drawing showing a perspective view of an embodiment of theexpandable drawer organizer wherein a guide pin in the first nestingtray is received in a slot in the base tray, and the first nesting trayhas a series of recesses to accommodate mounting an angular row insertand a cleat, in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-22 illustrate various embodiments of an expandable drawerorganizer in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 one embodiment of a two tray expandable drawerorganizer is generally shown at number 10. The expandable drawerorganizer 10 of the present invention generally comprises a base tray100 and a first nesting tray 200. The base tray 100 may have a givenlength and width to allow it to be slidably received by the firstnesting tray 200. This arrangement serves to permit the expandabledrawer organizer 10 to accommodate drawers of varying dimensionalcharacteristics permitting a user to optimize the utilization of drawerspace without compromising flexibility. The base tray 100 and a firstnesting tray 200 may be set at a predetermined length wherein a lockingmechanism 50 (FIG. 4-6) comprised of an engagement of the front panelprotuberance 274 (FIG. 6) and rear panel protuberance 276 (FIG. 6) withthe corresponding front panel recess in 170 (FIG. 6) and rear panelrecess 172 (FIG. 6) is generally formed, which may serve to secure theexpandable drawer tray 10 position within the drawer 600.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 one embodiment of a three tray expandabledrawer organizer of the present invention is generally shown at number10. The expandable drawer organizer 10 of the present inventiongenerally comprises a base tray 100, a first nesting tray 200 and asecond nesting tray 300. The base tray 100 may have a given length andwidth to allow it to be slidably received by both the first nesting tray200 and second nesting tray 300. This arrangement serves to permit theexpandable drawer organizer 10 to accommodate drawers of varyingdimensional characteristics permitting a user to optimize theutilization of drawer space without compromising flexibility. The basetray 100, first nesting tray 200 and second nesting tray 300 may be setat a predetermined length wherein a locking mechanism 50 (FIG. 4-6)comprised of an engagement of the front panel protuberance 274 (FIG. 6)and rear panel protuberance 276 (FIG. 6) with the corresponding frontpanel recess in 170 (FIG. 6) and rear panel recess 172 (FIG. 6) isgenerally formed, a similar arrangement is generally reflected at eachof the second nesting tray 300 front panel protuberance 374 and rearpanel protuberance 376 with the corresponding front panel recess in 170and rear panel recess 172; which may serve to secure the expandabledrawer tray 10 position within the drawer 600.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 one embodiment of base tray of theexpandable drawer organizer 10 is generally shown at number 100. Thebase tray 100 may compromise a bottom panel 110 having a rectangularshape of a given length and width, a first side panel 120 having arectangular shape of a given height and a length corresponding to thebottom panel 110, a second side panel 130 having a rectangular shape ofa given height and substantially similar length to the first side panel120, a front side panel 140 having a rectangular shape of asubstantially similar height to each of the first side panel 120 andsecond side panel 130, and length corresponding to the base tray 100,and rear side panel 150 having a rectangular shape of a given height andsubstantially similar length to the front side panel 140. The first sidepanel 120 may be adjoined to the bottom panel 110 in a substantiallyperpendicular manner, wherein the bottom panel first edge 112 (FIG. 3)and the first side panel bottom edge 128 (FIG. 3) are maintained incontinuous agreement over their length. The second side panel 130 may beadjoined to the bottom panel 110 in a substantially perpendicularmanner, wherein the bottom panel second edge 114 (FIG. 3) and the secondside panel bottom edge 138 (FIG. 3) are maintained in continuousagreement over their length, wherein the second side panel 130 may be inparallel alignment to the first side panel 120. The front side panel 140may be adjoined to the bottom panel 110 in a substantially perpendicularmanner, wherein the bottom panel front panel edge 116 (FIG. 3) and thefront side panel bottom edge 148 (FIG. 3) are maintained in continuousagreement over their length. The front side panel 140 may also beadjoined to each of the first side panel 120 and second side panel 130in a substantially perpendicular manner, wherein the front side panelfirst edge 142 (FIG. 3) and front panel side second edge 144 (FIG. 3)are maintained in continuous agreement over their length with therespective first side panel front edge 122 (FIG. 3) and second sidepanel front edge 132 (FIG. 3). The rear side panel 150 may be adjoinedto the bottom panel 110 in a substantially perpendicular manner, whereinthe bottom panel rear edge 118 (FIG. 3) and the rear side panel bottomedge 158 (FIG. 3) are maintained in continuous agreement over theirlength. The rear side panel 150 may also be adjoined to each of thefirst side panel 120 and second side panel 130 in a substantiallyperpendicular manner, wherein the rear side panel first edge 152 (FIG.3) and rear side panel second edge 154 (FIG. 3) are maintained incontinuous agreement over their length with the respective first sidepanel rear edge 124 (FIG. 3) and second side panel rear edge 134 (FIG.3). The rear side panel 150 being in substantially parallel alignmentwith the front side panel 140. The first side panel top edge 126 (FIG.3), second side panel top edge 136 (FIG. 3), front side panel top edge146 (FIG. 3) and rear side panel top edge 156 (FIG. 3) may exhibitcongruency within a common plane. The base tray 100 may be constructedof wood, metal, plastic or any combination thereof that provide suitablestructural properties to accommodate the aforementioned construction andprovide the desired rigidity. The method of adjoining each of theaforementioned sides may be by any means know in the Mechanical Artssuch as welding, soldering, brazing, the use of fasteners, rivets,screws, nails, or the use of adhesives. The base tray 100 may also bemanufactured by such techniques as extrusion, cold forming methods i.e.,bending, braking, shearing, cutting or hot forming methods i.e., castingor extrusion or combinations thereof that may yield similarconstruction. The front side panel 140 and rear side panel 150 of thebase tray 100 of the present invention may respectively have at leastone front side panel recess 170 (FIG. 3) and rear side panel recess 172(FIG. 3), that may be arranged in a row in the face of each panel beingof a given shape and depth to accommodate the respective first nestingtray 200 front side panel protuberance 274 (FIG. 3) and rear side panelprotuberance 276 (FIG. 3) and in the case of the three tray expandableorganizer 10 to accommodate the respective second nesting tray 300 frontside panel protuberance 374 (FIG. 3) and rear side panel protuberance376 (FIG. 3). In another embodiment of the base tray 100, the front sidepanel 140 and rear side panel 150 may respectively have at least onefront side panel protuberance and rear side panel protuberance, that maybe arranged in a row on the face of each panel being of a given shapeand depth to accommodate the respective first nesting tray 200 andsecond nesting tray 300 front side panel recesses and rear side panelrecesses. The base tray 100 may also have partitions 450 (FIG. 3)adjoined in normal position to the bottom panel 110 and at least oneside of the base tray 100 to form compartments of a rectangular nature.In another embodiment, the expandable partitions 500 (FIG. 7) and fixedlength partitions may be employed which may utilize a locking mechanismbased upon the arrangement of protuberances and recesses similar to thearrangement utilized to secure the base tray 100, first nesting tray 200and second nesting tray 300 at a predetermined length.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 one embodiment of the first nesting trayis generally shown at number 200. The first nesting tray 200 maycompromise a bottom panel 210 having a rectangular shape of a givenlength and width, a first side panel 220 having a rectangular shape of agiven height and a length corresponding to the bottom panel 210, a frontside panel 240 having a rectangular shape of a substantially similarheight to the first side panel 220, and length corresponding to thefirst nesting tray 200, and rear side panel 250 having a rectangularshape of a given height and substantially similar length to the frontside panel 240. The first side panel 220 may be adjoined to the bottompanel 210 in a substantially perpendicular manner, wherein the bottompanel first edge 212 (FIG. 3) and the first side panel bottom edge 228(FIG. 3) are maintained in continuous agreement over their length. Thefront side panel 240 may be adjoined to the bottom panel 210 in asubstantially perpendicular manner, wherein the bottom panel front edge216 (FIG. 3) and the front side panel bottom edge 248 (FIG. 3) aremaintained in continuous agreement over their length. The front sidepanel 240 may also be adjoined to the first side panel 220 in asubstantially perpendicular manner, wherein the front side panel firstedge 242 (FIG. 3) and the respective first side panel front edge 222(FIG. 3) are maintained in continuous agreement over their length. Therear side panel 250 may be adjoined to the bottom panel 210 in asubstantially perpendicular manner, wherein the bottom panel rear edge218 (FIG. 3) and the rear side panel bottom edge 258 (FIG. 3) aremaintained in continuous agreement over their length. The rear sidepanel 250 may also be adjoined to the first side panel 220 in asubstantially perpendicular manner, wherein the rear side panel firstedge 252 (FIG. 3) and respective first side panel rear edge 224 (FIG. 3)are maintained in continuous agreement over their length. The rear sidepanel 250 being in substantially parallel alignment with the front sidepanel 240. The first side panel top edge 226 (FIG. 3), front side paneltop edge 246 (FIG. 3) and rear side panel top edge 256 (FIG. 3) mayexhibit congruency within a common plane. The bottom panel second edge214 (FIG. 3) is adjoined to the front side panel second edge 244 (FIG.3) and rear side panel second edge 254 (FIG. 3) in a substantiallyperpendicular manner to form an opening to receive the base tray 100.The first nesting tray 200 may be constructed of wood, metal, plastic orany combination thereof that provide suitable structural properties toaccommodate the aforementioned construction and provide the desiredrigidity. The method of adjoining each of the aforementioned sides maybe by any means know in the Mechanical Arts such as welding, soldering,brazing, the use of fasteners, rivets, screws, nails, or the use ofadhesives. The first nesting tray 200 may also be manufactured by suchtechniques as extrusion, cold forming methods i.e., bending, braking,shearing, cutting or hot forming methods i.e., casting or extrusion orcombinations thereof that may yield similar construction. The front sidepanel 240 and rear side panel 250 of the first nesting tray 200 of thepresent invention may respectively have at least one front side panelprotuberance 274 (FIG. 3) and rear side panel protuberance 276 (FIG. 3),each being attached to a protuberance support 278 (FIG. 3) which extendsfrom the front side panel top edge 246 (FIG. 3) and rear side panel topedge 256 (FIG. 3) respectively. The front side panel protuberance 274(FIG. 3) and rear side panel protuberance 276 (FIG. 3) each forming ahead at the proximal end of the protuberance support 278 (FIG. 3). Theprotuberance head being of a given solid shape having substantialdimensional compliance to be securely positioned in the respective basetray 100 front panel recess 170 (FIG. 3) and rear panel recess 172 (FIG.3). In another embodiment of the first nesting tray 200, the front sidepanel 240 and rear side panel 250 may respectively have at least onefront panel protuberance and rear panel protuberance, that may bearranged in a row on the face of each panel being of a given shape andsize to accommodate the respective base tray 100 front side panel recessand rear side panel recess. In another embodiment of the first nestingtray 200, the front side panel 240 and rear side panel 250 mayrespectively have at least one front side panel recess 270 (FIG. 3) andrear side panel recess 272 (FIG. 3), that may be arranged in a row onthe face of each panel being of a given shape and depth to accommodatethe respective base tray 100 front side panel protuberance and rear sidepanel protuberance. Subsequently, the expandable drawer organizer 10 maybe set at a predetermined length and accordingly maintained by thelocking mechanism 50 (FIG. 4-6). In another embodiment the nesting tray200 may also have expandable partitions 500 (FIG. 7), fixed lengthpartitions or any combination thereof that may be employed which mayutilize a locking mechanism based upon the arrangement of protuberancesand recesses similar to the arrangement utilized to secure the base tray100, first nesting tray 200 and second nesting tray 300 at apredetermined length. The expandable partitions 500 (FIG. 7) may bedetachably attached in normal position to the bottom panel 210 and atleast one side of the first nesting tray 200 to form compartments of arectangular nature.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 one embodiment of the second nesting tray isgenerally shown at number 300. The second nesting tray 300 maycompromise a bottom panel 310 having a rectangular shape of a givenlength and width, a first side panel 330 having a rectangular shape of agiven height and a length corresponding to the bottom panel 310, a frontside panel 340 having a rectangular shape of a substantially similarheight to the first side panel 330, and length corresponding to thesecond nesting tray 300, and rear side panel 350 having a rectangularshape of a given height and substantially similar length to the frontside panel 340. The first side panel 330 may be adjoined to the bottompanel 310 in a substantially perpendicular manner, wherein the bottompanel first edge 312 (FIG. 3) and the first side panel bottom edge 338(FIG. 3) are maintained in continuous agreement over their length. Thefront side panel 340 may be adjoined to the bottom panel 310 in asubstantially perpendicular manner, wherein the bottom panel front edge316 (FIG. 3) and the front side panel bottom edge 348 (FIG. 3) aremaintained in continuous agreement over their length. The front sidepanel 340 may also be adjoined to the first side panel 330 in asubstantially perpendicular manner, wherein the front side panel firstedge 342 (FIG. 3) and the respective first side panel front edge 332(FIG. 3) are maintained in continuous agreement over their length. Therear side panel 350 may be adjoined to the bottom panel 310 in asubstantially perpendicular manner, wherein the bottom panel rear edge318 (FIG. 3) and the rear side panel bottom edge 358 (FIG. 3) aremaintained in continuous agreement over their length. The rear sidepanel 350 may also be adjoined to the first side panel 330 in asubstantially perpendicular manner, wherein the rear side panel firstedge 352 (FIG. 3) and respective first side panel rear edge 334 (FIG. 3)are maintained in continuous agreement over their length. The rear sidepanel 350 being in substantially parallel alignment with the front sidepanel 340. The first side panel top edge 336 (FIG. 3), front side paneltop edge 346 (FIG. 3) and rear side panel top edge 356 (FIG. 3) mayexhibit congruency within a common plane. The bottom panel second edge314 (FIG. 3) is adjoined to the front side panel second edge 344 (FIG.3) and rear side panel second edge 354 (FIG. 3) in a substantiallyperpendicular manner to form an opening to receive the base tray 100.The second nesting tray 300 may be constructed of wood, metal, plasticor any combination thereof that provide suitable structural propertiesto accommodate the aforementioned construction and provide the desiredrigidity. The method of adjoining each of the aforementioned sides maybe by any means know in the Mechanical Arts such as welding, soldering,brazing, the use of fasteners, rivets, screws, nails, or the use ofadhesives. The second nesting tray 300 may also be manufactured by suchtechniques as extrusion, cold forming methods i.e., bending, braking,shearing, cutting or hot forming methods i.e., casting or extrusion orcombinations thereof that may yield similar construction. The front sidepanel 340 and rear side panel 350 of the second nesting tray 300 of thepresent invention may respectively have at least one front side panelprotuberance 374 (FIG. 3) and rear side panel protuberance 376 (FIG. 3),each being attached to a protuberance support 378 (FIG. 3) which extendsfrom the front side panel top edge 346 (FIG. 3) and rear side panel topedge 356 (FIG. 3) respectively. The front side panel protuberance 374(FIG. 3) and rear side panel protuberance 376 (FIG. 3) each forming ahead at the proximal end of the protuberance support 378 (FIG. 3). Theprotuberance head being of a given solid shape having substantialdimensional compliance to be securely positioned in the respective basetray 100 front panel recess 170 (FIG. 3) and rear panel recess 172 (FIG.3). In another embodiment of the second nesting tray 300, the front sidepanel 340 and rear side panel 350 may respectively have at least onefront panel protuberance and rear panel protuberance, that may bearranged in a row on the face of each panel being of a given shape andsize to accommodate the respective base tray 100 front side panel recess170 (FIG. 3) and rear side panel recess 172 (FIG. 3). In anotherembodiment of the second nesting tray 300, the front side panel 340 andrear side panel 350 may respectively have at least one front side panelrecess 370 (FIG. 3) and rear side panel recess 372 (FIG. 3), that may bearranged in a row on the face of each panel being of a given shape anddepth to accommodate the respective base tray 100 front side panelprotuberance and rear side panel protuberance. Subsequently, theexpandable drawer organizer 10 may be set at a predetermined length andaccordingly maintained by the locking mechanism 50 (FIG. 4-6). Inanother embodiment the nesting tray 300 may also have expandablepartitions 500 (FIG. 7), fixed length partitions or any combinationthereof that may be employed which may utilize a locking mechanism basedupon the arrangement of protuberances and recesses similar to thearrangement utilized to secure the base tray 100, first nesting tray 200and second nesting tray 300 at a predetermined length. The expandablepartitions 500 (FIG. 7) may be detachably attached in normal position tothe bottom panel 310 and at least one side of the second nesting tray300 to form compartments of a rectangular nature.

Referring to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 the present embodiment of a lockingmechanism is generally shown at number 50 for a two tray organizer 10.FIGS. 4 and 5 provide an exploded partial view of the locking mechanism50 respectively in a disengaged and engaged state, wherein the base tray100 and the first nesting tray 200 are separated, which provide therelative orientation of the base tray 100 first side panel 120 and frontside panel 140 with respect to the first nesting tray 200 front sidepanel 240. The locking mechanism 50 may comprise a base tray 100 havinga first set of top rails formed by the front side panel top edge 146(FIG. 6) and the rear side panel top edge 156 (FIG. 6) that respectivelymay ride on a first bottom set of rails formed by the front side paneltop edge 246 (FIG. 6) and the rear side panel top edge 256 (FIG. 6) ofthe first nesting tray 200. The first top and bottom set of railsprovide a means for slidably conveying the base tray 100 within thefirst nesting tray 200 while simultaneously providing alignment of therespective trays to permit the engagement of the front side panelprotuberance 274 and rear side panel protuberance 276 respectively withthe front side panel recess 170 and rear side panel recess 172. In thethree tray embodiment of the expandable drawer organizer 10 of thepresent invention, the locking mechanism 50 may comprise a second bottomrail. The top set of rails formed by the front side panel top edge 146(FIG. 3) and the rear side panel top edge 156 (FIG. 3) that respectivelymay ride on a second bottom set of rails formed by the front side paneltop edge 346 (FIG. 3) and the rear side panel top edge 356 (FIG. 3) ofthe second nesting tray 300. The first and second sets of top and bottomrails provide a means for slidably conveying the base tray 100 withinthe first nesting tray 200 and second nesting tray 300 (FIG. 3) whilesimultaneously providing alignment of the respective trays to permit theengagement of the front side panel protuberances 274 and 374 rear sidepanel protuberances 276 and 376 respectively with the front side panelrecesses 170 and rear side panel recesses 172.

The locking mechanism 50 of the present embodiment of the two drawerorganizer 10 may comprise a protuberance support 278, which extends fromthe front side panel top edge 246 and rear side panel top edge 256. Thethree tray drawer organizer 10 may comprise a protuberance support 378(FIG. 3), which extends from the front side panel top edge 346 (FIG. 3)and rear side panel top edge 356 (FIG. 3) respectively. The protuberancesupports 278 and 378 impart a constant force to the attachedprotuberance(s) as a function of spring tension, which may beaccomplished as a function of bending, pre-forming or the attachment ofsprings to tensionably accomplish this function. The front side panelprotuberance 274 and rear side panel protuberance 276 each form a headat the proximal end of the protuberance support 278. The protuberancehead being of a given solid shape having substantial dimensionalcompliance to be securely positioned in the respective base tray 100front side panel recess 170 and rear side panel recess 172. In anotherembodiment, the locking mechanism 50 may comprise, the front side panel240 and rear side panel 250 of the first nesting tray 200 respectivelyhaving at least one front side panel protuberance and rear side panelprotuberance, that may be arranged in a row on the face of each panel.The front and rear side panel protuberance being of a given shape andsize to accommodate the respective front side panel recess and rear sidepanel recess located in base tray 100 front side panel 140 and rear sidepanel 150. The protuberance may be attached to a spring and retained inan opening, wherein a given portion of the protuberance may projectthrough the opening to engage a recess.

In another embodiment, the locking mechanism 50 may comprise, the frontside panel 240 and rear side panel 250 of first nesting tray 200respectively having at least one front side panel recess and rear sidepanel recess, that may be arranged in a row on the face of each panelbeing of a given shape and depth to accommodate the respective frontside panel protuberance and rear side panel protuberance in base tray100 front side panel 140 and rear side panel 150. The protuberance maybe attached to a spring and retained in an opening, wherein a givenportion of the protuberance may project through the opening to engage arecess.

Referring to FIG. 7 the present embodiment of an expandable partition isgenerally shown at number 500 for an expandable drawer organizer 10.FIG. 7 provides an perspective view of the expandable partition 500 in adisengaged state in respect to the first nesting tray 200 wherein therelative orientation of the expandable partition 500 is substantiallyparallel to first side panel 220 of the first nesting tray. Theexpandable partition 500 may be comprised of a first panel 502 and asecond panel 504, which may be of similar construction to the firstnesting tray 200 (FIG. 3) front side panel 240 (FIG. 3) and rear sidepanel 250 (FIG. 3); which may be held in slidable communication with atleast one panel coupler 508 connected to either of the first panel 502and second panel 504 top edge, and the first panel 502 and second panel504 bottom edge. The coupler may comprise any means known in theMechanical Arts to join panels or similar surfaces when in substantiallyparallel alignment. The ends of the first panel 502 and second panel 504edge, and the first panel 502 and second panel 504 bottom edge may havea stop 506, which serves to prevent the accidental separation of theexpandable partition 500 by restricting the movement of the panelcoupler 508 on the first panel 502 and second panel 504 top edge, andthe first panel 502 and second panel 504 bottom edge. The lockingmechanism 50 may also be incorporated in the present embodiment of theexpandable partition 500 wherein a protuberance 510 located in either ofthe first panel 502 and second panel 504 engage a corresponding recess512 in the respective adjoining panel under constant force. Each of thefirst panel 502 and second panel 504 may also have a protuberance 510located on the bottom edge, which may engage a corresponding recess inthe bottom panel 210. The expandable partition 500 may also incorporatea protuberance 510 attached to projection on the first panel 502 andsecond panel 504 top edge, that may engage the first nesting tray 200front panel recess 170 and rear panel recess 172, respectively.

Referring to FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 an alternate embodiment of a lockingmechanism is generally shown at numbers 180, 182, 280 and 282 for a twotray organizer 10. FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 provide an exploded partial view ofthe alternate locking mechanism 180, 182, 280 and 282 wherein the basetray 100 and the first nesting tray 200 are engaged (FIG. 8) anddisengaged (FIGS. 9 and 10).

Referring to FIG. 8 one embodiment of the locking mechanism is shownwherein the base tray 100 may have at least one male rod 180 of a givengauge and a given length; not in excess of the bottom panel front edge116 (FIG. 3), attached to the bottom panel 110 (FIG. 3), insubstantially parallel alignment to the bottom panel front edge 116(FIG. 3) and bottom panel rear edge 118 (FIG. 3), the rod having aseries of protrusions about the bottom surface The first nesting tray200 may have at least one female rod 282, of a given gauge and length;having at least one indentation along the length of the topmost surface;not in excess of the front side panel bottom edge 248 (FIG. 3); attachedto the bottom panel 210 (FIG. 3) in substantially parallel alignment tothe front side panel bottom edge 248 (FIG. 3) and rear panel bottom edge258 (FIG. 3), whereby the base tray 100 and male rod 180 are slidablyengaged by said first nesting tray 200 and female rod 282, wherein themale rod 180 protrusion may be received by at least one indentation onthe surface of the female rod 282, thereby maintaining the relativeposition of the base tray 100 and first nesting tray 200.

Referring to FIG. 9 one embodiment of the locking mechanism is shownwherein the base tray 100 may have at least one tube 182 of a givengauge and a given length; not in excess of the bottom panel front edge116 (FIG. 3) attached to the bottom panel 110 (FIG. 3), in substantiallyparallel alignment to the bottom panel front edge 116 (FIG. 3) andbottom panel rear edge 118 (FIG. 3), the tube 182 having at least oneprotrusion within the bore. The first nesting tray 200 may have at leastone rod 280 having a series of indentations, of a given gauge andlength; not in excess of the front side panel bottom edge 248 (FIG. 3);attached to the bottom panel 210 (FIG. 3) in substantially parallelalignment to the front side panel bottom edge 248 (FIG. 3) and rear sidepanel bottom edge 258 (FIG. 3), that is received by tube 182, wherebythe base tray 100 and tube 182 are slidably engaged by said firstnesting tray 200 and rod 280, wherein at least one of the indentationsmay be engaged by the protrusion within the bore of tube 182, therebymaintaining the relative position of the base tray 100 and first nestingtray 200.

Referring to FIG. 10 one embodiment of the locking mechanism is shownwherein the base tray 100 may have at least one rod 180 of a given gaugeand a given length; not in excess of the bottom panel front edge 116(FIG. 3), attached to the bottom panel 110 (FIG. 3), in substantiallyparallel alignment to the bottom panel front edge 116 (FIG. 3) andbottom panel rear edge 118 (FIG. 3), the rod 180 having a series ofindentations The first nesting tray 200 may have at least one tube 282,of a given gauge having at least one protrusion within the bore andlength; not in excess of the front side panel bottom edge 248 (FIG. 3);attached to the bottom panel 210 (FIG. 3) in substantially parallelalignment to the front side panel bottom edge 248 (FIG. 3) and rearpanel bottom edge 258 (FIG. 3), whereby the base tray 100 and rod areslidably engaged by said first nesting tray 200 and tube 282, whereinthe rod 180 may be received by tube wherein at least one of theindentations may be engaged by the protrusion within the bore of thetube 282, thereby maintaining the relative position of the base tray 100and first nesting tray 200.

Referring to FIG. 11 an extendable retainer mechanism is generally shownat number 400 for a three tray expandable organizer 10. FIG. 11 providesa perspective view of the three tray expandable organizer 10 with theextendable retainer mechanism 400 in place in a cutaway view of drawer600. The extendable retainer mechanism 400 may comprise an extension arm402 in slidable agreement with a friction stop/sleeve 404, which may bedetachably connected to the rearmost proximity of the base tray 100second side panel top edge 136 (FIG. 3) and the first nesting tray 200first side panel top edge 226 (FIG. 3) by an extension arm connector 408that clips over the respective panel edge. The extension arm 402 mayhave a given length and profile to provide for a channel to be formedabout the longitudinal axis that permits the friction stop/sleeve 404 toride therein. This channel may be tapered or reticulated to inhibit themovement of the friction stop/sleeve 404 about the channel length. Thefriction stop/sleeve 404 may be of a given length and of an opposingprofile to the extension arm 402, such that the friction stop/sleeve 404provides nominal alignment and moderate degree of friction, which isamplified upon assembly with the extension arm connector. This providesfor the user to adjust the extendable retainer mechanism to achieveadequate tautness of the expandable organizer 10. The extension arm 402and friction stop/sleeve 404 may be formed from wood, ferrous ornon-ferrous materials adequate to provide substantial rigidity andrequired structural properties. The extension arm connector 408 may beshaped to tensionably retain an extension arm 402 in slidablecommunication with the friction stop/sleeve 404 thereby preventing theextension arm 402 from collapsing under load after being set to apredetermined length. The extension arm 402 may be fitted with a foot406 at the distal end of the extension arm 402, wherein contact with thedrawer 600 surface is maintained. The foot 402 may further comprise aflexible pad, to prevent marring or scratching the interior drawer 600surface. The extendable retainer mechanism 400 serves to prevent theexpandable drawer organizer 10 from shifting within a drawer 600 whensubjected to impulse forces. In another embodiment the extendableretainer mechanism 400 may be configured from an expandable partition500 (FIG. 7) designed to be attached to the base tray 100 second sidepanel top edge 136 (FIG. 3) and the first nesting tray 200 first sidepanel top edge 226 (FIG. 3) by an extension arm connector 408 that clipsover the respective panel edge. Subsequently, this embodiment providesfor the use of expandable partitions with the extendable retainer,thereby allowing the organization of the drawer to be optimized.

Referring to FIGS. 12, 13 and 14 another embodiment of the base tray ofthe expandable drawer organizer 10 is generally shown at number 101 inshown in a two tray arrangement (FIG. 12, 13) and a three trayarrangement (FIG. 14).

Referring to FIG. 12 the base tray 101 may compromise a bottom panel 110having a rectangular shape of a given length and width, a topside panel160 having a rectangular shape of a given length and width and having agiven profile about the plane of the topside panel 160 to accommodatethe ordered arrangement of various utensils, a first side panel 120having a rectangular shape of a given height and a length correspondingto the bottom panel 110, a second side panel 130 having a rectangularshape of a given height and substantially similar length to the firstside panel 120, a front side panel 140 having a rectangular shape of asubstantially similar height to each of the first side panel 120 andsecond side panel 130, and length corresponding to the bottom panel 110width, and rear side panel 150 having a rectangular shape of a givenheight and substantially similar length to the front side panel 140. Thefirst side panel 120 may be adjoined to the bottom panel 110 and topsidepanel 160 in a substantially perpendicular manner, wherein the bottompanel first edge 112 (FIG. 13) and the first side panel bottom edge 128(FIG. 13) are maintained in continuous agreement over their length, andthe topside panel first edge 161 (FIG. 13) and first side panel top edge126 (FIG. 13) are maintained in continuous agreement over their length.The second side panel 130 may be adjoined to the bottom panel 110 andtopside panel 160 in a substantially perpendicular manner, wherein thebottom panel second edge 114 (FIG. 13) and the second side panel bottomedge 138 (FIG. 13), and topside panel second edge 162 (FIG. 13) andsecond side panel top edge 136 (FIG. 13) are maintained in continuousagreement over their length, wherein the second side panel 130 may be inparallel alignment to the first side panel 120. The front side panel 140may be adjoined to the bottom panel 110 and topside panel 160 in asubstantially perpendicular manner, wherein the bottom panel front paneledge 116 (FIG. 13) and the front side panel bottom edge 148 (FIG. 13),and the topside panel front edge 163 (FIG. 13) and front side panel topedge 146 (FIG. 13) are maintained in continuous agreement over theirlength. The front side panel 140 may also be adjoined to each of thefirst side panel 120 and second side panel 130 in a substantiallyperpendicular manner, wherein the front side panel first edge 142 (FIG.13) and front panel side second edge 144 (FIG. 13) are maintained incontinuous agreement over their length with the respective first sidepanel front edge 122 (FIG. 13) and second side panel front edge 132(FIG. 13). The rear side panel 150 may be adjoined to the bottom panel110 in a substantially perpendicular manner, wherein the bottom panelrear edge 118 (FIG. 13) and the rear side panel bottom edge 158 (FIG.13) are maintained in continuous agreement over their length. The rearside panel 150 may also be adjoined to each of the first side panel 120and second side panel 130 in a substantially perpendicular manner,wherein the rear side panel first edge 152 (FIG. 13) and rear side panelsecond edge 154 (FIG. 13) are maintained in continuous agreement overtheir length with the respective first side panel rear edge 124 (FIG.13) and second side panel rear edge 134 (FIG. 13). The rear side panel150 being in substantially parallel alignment with the front side panel140. The first side panel top edge 126 (FIG. 13), second side panel topedge 136 (FIG. 13), front side panel top edge 146 (FIG. 13) and rearside panel top edge 156 (FIG. 13) may exhibit congruency within a commonplane. The base tray 101 may be constructed of wood, metal, plastic orany combination thereof that provide suitable structural properties toaccommodate the aforementioned construction and provide the desiredrigidity. The method of adjoining each of the aforementioned sides maybe by any means know in the Mechanical Arts such as welding, soldering,brazing, the use of fasteners, rivets, screws, nails, or the use ofadhesives. The base tray 101 may also be manufactured by such techniquesas extrusion, cold forming methods i.e., bending, braking, shearing,cutting or hot forming methods i.e., casting or extrusion orcombinations thereof that may yield similar construction. The front sidepanel 140 and rear side panel 150 of the base tray 101 of the presentinvention may respectively have at least one front side panel recess 170(FIG. 14) and rear side panel recess 172 (FIG. 14) that may be arrangedin a row in the face of each panel being of a given shape and depth toaccommodate the respective first nesting tray 200 (FIG. 14) front sidepanel protuberance 274 (FIG. 14) and rear side panel protuberance 276(FIG. 14) and in the case of the three tray expandable organizer 10(FIG. 14) to accommodate the respective second nesting tray 300 (FIG.14) front side panel protuberance 374 (FIG. 14) and rear side panelprotuberance 376 (FIG. 14). In another embodiment of the base tray 101,the front side panel 140 and rear side panel 150 may respectively haveat least one front side panel protuberance and rear side panelprotuberance, that may be arranged in a row on the face of each panelbeing of a given shape and depth to accommodate the respective firstnesting tray 200 (FIG. 14) and second nesting tray 300 (FIG. 14) frontside panel recesses and rear side panel recesses. The base tray 101 mayalso have partitions 450 (FIG. 3) adjoined in normal position to thebottom panel 110 and at least one side of the base tray 101 to formcompartments of a rectangular nature. In another embodiment, theexpandable partitions 500 (FIG. 7) and fixed length partitions may beemployed which may utilize a locking mechanism based upon thearrangement of protuberances and recesses similar to the arrangementutilized to secure the base tray 101, first nesting tray 200 and secondnesting tray 300 at a predetermined length. In another embodiment thetopside panel 160 (FIG. 13) may have a plurality of recesses of a givenshape, to accommodate at least one utensil selected from a group ofutensils consisting of forks, knives, spoons, spatulas, whisks, bottleopeners, can openers, scissors, strainers, brushes, tongs, pot holders,handles, thermometers, skewers, presses, mallets, mashers, bastingequipment and measuring utensils; located about a top side of saidpanel. The base tray 101 may also comprise hollow construction whereupon removing the topside panel 160 additional storage may be revealed,which may be partitioned in any predetermined manner. The topside panel160 may comprise at least one of either a topside panel front ridge 165affixed to the topside panel front edge 163 (FIG. 13) and a topsidepanel rear ridge 166 affixed to the topside panel rear edge 164 (FIG.13), which are respectively received by the base tray front side panel140 and base tray rear side panel 150. In another embodiment the topsidepanel front ridge 165 and topside panel rear ridge 166 may have atopside panel front ridge protuberance 167 (FIG. 13) and topside panelrear ridge protuberance 168 (FIG. 13), respectively; which may berespectively received in a front side panel topside panel recess 147 andrear side panel topside panel recess 157, wherein they are maintained inpositional agreement under constant force. In another embodiment thetopside panel front ridge 165 and topside panel rear ridge 166 may havea topside panel front and rear ridge recess, which may receive aprotuberance, located on the respective front side panel 140 and rearside panel 150. In another embodiment the topside panel 160 may behingably attached to one of either the topside panel rear edge 164 andrear side panel 150; and topside panel front edge 163 and front sidepanel 140. Another embodiment contemplating hingably attaching thetopside panel 160 to either or both of the topside panel first edge 161(FIG. 13), topside panel second edge 162 (FIG. 13), and respective firstside panel 120 and second side panel 130, wherein access to the storagearea beneath the topside tray are accessed. In another embodiment thetopside panel 160 may be comprised of at least two panels in horizontalslidable agreement wherein one of a slightly larger length than thecorresponding panel may receive the corresponding panel. In anotherembodiment, the topside panel 160 may be comprised of at least twopanels in vertical slidable agreement wherein one of a slightly largerwidth than the corresponding panel may receive the corresponding panel.In another embodiment the base tray 101 may comprise a topside panelpartition 190 of a given length and width having a topside partitionpanel front edge 192, topside partition panel rear edge 194, topsidepartition panel top edge 196 and topside partition panel bottom edge 198that may affixed to one of either the topside panel first edge 161 (FIG.13) and topside panel second edge 162 (FIG. 13), and the bottom panel110 in a normal plane, wherein topside partition panel 190 may besubstituted for one of either the first side panel 120 and second sidepanel 130 in the structural configuration of the hollow base trayembodiment, which further permits a vacant section of the base tray 101to exist adjacent to the topside panel partition 190.

Referring to FIG. 14 another embodiment of the first nesting tray of theexpandable drawer organizer 10 is generally shown at number 201 in shownin a two tray arrangement (FIG. 12, 13) and a three tray arrangement(FIG. 14). The first nesting tray 201 may compromise a bottom panel 210having a rectangular shape of a given length and width, a topside panel260 having a rectangular shape of a given length and width and having agiven profile about the plane of the topside panel 260 to accommodatethe ordered arrangement of various utensils, a first side panel 220having a rectangular shape of a given height and a length correspondingto the bottom panel 210, a topside partition panel 290 having arectangular shape of a given height and substantially similar length tothe first side panel 220, a front side panel 240 having a rectangularshape of a substantially similar height to each of the first side panel220 and topside partition panel 290, and length corresponding to thebottom panel 210 width, and rear side panel 250 having a rectangularshape of a given height and substantially similar length to the frontside panel 240. The first side panel 220 may be adjoined to the bottompanel 210 and topside panel 260 in a substantially perpendicular manner,wherein the bottom panel first edge 212 and the first side panel bottomedge 228 are maintained in continuous agreement over their length, andthe topside panel first edge 261 and first side panel top edge 226 aremaintained in continuous agreement over their length. The topsidepartition panel 290 may be adjoined to the bottom panel 210 and topsidepanel 260 in a substantially perpendicular manner, wherein the bottompanel second 210 and the topside partition panel bottom edge 298 aremaintained in normal relationship, and topside panel second edge 262 andtopside partition panel top edge 296 are maintained in continuousagreement over their length, wherein the topside partition panel 290 maybe in parallel alignment to the first side panel 220. The front sidepanel 240 may be adjoined to the bottom panel 210 and topside panel 260in a substantially perpendicular manner, wherein the bottom panel frontpanel edge 216 and the front side panel bottom edge 248, and the topsidepanel front edge 263 and front side panel top edge 246 are maintained incontinuous agreement over their length. The front side panel 240 mayalso be adjoined to each of the first side panel 220 and topsidepartition panel 290 in a substantially perpendicular manner, wherein thefront side panel first edge 242 and front panel side second edge 244 aremaintained in continuous agreement over their length with the respectivefirst side panel front edge 222 and topside partition panel front edge292. The rear side panel 250 may be adjoined to the bottom panel 210 ina substantially perpendicular manner, wherein the bottom panel rear edge218 and the rear side panel bottom edge 258 are maintained in continuousagreement over their length. The rear side panel 250 may also beadjoined to each of the first side panel 220 and topside partition panel290 in a substantially perpendicular manner, wherein the rear side panelfirst edge 252 and rear side panel second edge 254 are maintained incontinuous agreement over their length with the respective first sidepanel rear edge 224 and topside partition panel rear edge 294. The rearside panel 250 being in substantially parallel alignment with the frontside panel 240. The first side panel top edge 226, topside partitionpanel top edge 296, front side panel top edge 246 and rear side paneltop edge 256 may exhibit congruency within a common plane. The firstnesting tray 201 may be constructed of wood, metal, plastic or anycombination thereof that provide suitable structural properties toaccommodate the aforementioned construction and provide the desiredrigidity. The method of adjoining each of the aforementioned sides maybe by any means know in the Mechanical Arts such as welding, soldering,brazing, the use of fasteners, rivets, screws, nails, or the use ofadhesives. The first nesting tray 201 may also be manufactured by suchtechniques as extrusion, cold forming methods i.e., bending, braking,shearing, cutting or hot forming methods i.e., casting or extrusion orcombinations thereof that may yield similar construction. The front sidepanel 240 and rear side panel 250 of the first nesting tray 201 of thepresent invention may respectively have at least one front side panelrecess 270 and rear side panel recess 272 that may be arranged in a rowin the face of each panel being of a given shape and depth toaccommodate the respective base tray 100 front side panel protuberance174 (FIG. 14) and rear side panel protuberance 176 (FIG. 14) and in thecase of the three tray expandable organizer 10 (FIG. 14) may have asecond nesting tray 300 (FIG. 14) having a front side panel recess 370(FIG. 14) and rear side panel recess 372 (FIG. 14) that may respectivelyreceive the base tray front and rear side panel protuberances, 174 (FIG.14) and 176 (FIG. 14), respectively. In another embodiment of the firstnesting tray 201, the front side panel 240 and rear side panel 250 mayrespectively have at least one front side panel protuberance and rearside panel protuberance, that may be arranged in a row on the face ofeach panel being of a given shape and depth to accommodate therespective base tray 100 (FIG. 14) front side panel recesses and rearside panel recesses. A similar embodiment is envisioned for the secondnesting tray 300. The first nesting tray 201 may also have partitions450 (FIG. 3) adjoined in normal position to the bottom panel 210 and atleast one side of the first nesting tray 201 to form compartments of arectangular nature. In another embodiment, the expandable partitions 500(FIG. 7) and fixed length partitions may be employed which may utilize alocking mechanism based upon the arrangement of protuberances andrecesses similar to the arrangement utilized to secure the base tray100, first nesting tray 201 and second nesting tray 300 at apredetermined length. In another embodiment the topside panel 260 (FIG.13) may have a plurality of recesses of a given shape, to accommodate atleast one utensil selected from a group of utensils consisting of forks,knives, spoons, spatulas, whisks, bottle openers, can openers, scissors,strainers, brushes, tongs, pot holders, handles, thermometers, skewers,presses, mallets, mashers, basting equipment and measuring utensils;located about a top side of said panel. The first nesting tray 201 mayalso comprise hollow construction where upon removing the topside panel260 addition storage may be revealed, which may be partitioned in anypredetermined manner. The topside panel 260 may comprise at least one ofeither a topside panel front ridge 265 affixed to the topside panelfront edge 263 and a topside panel rear ridge 266 affixed to the topsidepanel rear edge 264, which are respectively received by the firstnesting tray front side panel 240 and first nesting tray rear side panel250. In another embodiment the topside panel front ridge 265 and topsidepanel rear ridge 266 may have a topside panel front ridge protuberance267 and topside panel rear ridge protuberance 267, respectively; whichmay be respectively received in a front side panel topside panel recess247 and rear side panel topside panel recess 257, wherein they aremaintained in positional agreement under constant force. In anotherembodiment the topside panel front ridge 265 and topside panel rearridge 266 may have a topside panel front and rear ridge recess, whichmay receive a protuberance, located on the respective front side panel240 and rear side panel 250. In another embodiment the topside panel 260may be hingably attached to one of either the topside panel rear edge264 and rear side panel 250; and topside panel front edge 261 and frontside panel 240. Another embodiment contemplating hingably attaching thetopside panel 260 to either or both of the topside panel first edge 261,topside panel second edge 262, and respective first side panel 220 andtopside partition panel 290, wherein access to the storage area beneaththe topside tray are accessed. In another embodiment the topside panel260 may be comprised of at least two panels in horizontal slidableagreement wherein one of a slightly larger length than the correspondingpanel may receive the corresponding panel. In another embodiment, thetopside panel 260 may be comprised of at least two panels in verticalslidable agreement wherein one of a slightly larger width than thecorresponding panel may receive the corresponding panel. In anotherembodiment the first nesting tray 201 may comprise a topside panelpartition 290 of a given length and width having a topside partitionpanel front edge 292, topside partition panel rear edge 294, topsidepartition panel top edge 296 and topside partition panel bottom edge 298that may affixed to one of either the topside panel first edge 261 andtopside panel second edge 262, and the bottom panel 210 in a normalplane, wherein topside partition panel 290 may be substituted for thefirst side panel 220 in the structural configuration of the hollow firstnesting tray embodiment, which further permits a vacant section of thefirst nesting tray 201 to exist adjacent to the topside panel partition290.

Referring to FIG. 14 one embodiment of a three tray arrangement of anexpandable drawer organizer is generally shown at number 10. Theexpandable drawer organizer 10 may comprise a base tray 101, a firstnesting tray 201 and a second nesting tray 300. In another embodimentthe expandable drawer organizer 10 may have a second nesting tray 300that may be a substantial mirror image of the second nesting tray 201,and further anticipate all the various embodiments of the second nestingtray 201, previously set forth. In another embodiment of the expandabledrawer organizer 10, a knife block that may comprise a box having atopside, bottom side, first side, second side, front side and rear side;being of either hollow or solid construction, wherein the topside of theblock is configured to retain various utensils in an ordered fashion,and at least one of either the bottom side, front side, rear side, firstside and second side may have protuberances to allow it to betensionably positioned in a predetermined location in the base tray,first or second nesting tray. In another embodiment the topside of theknife block may be detachably attached, wherein upon the removal of thetopside in the hollow version additional storage may be found, whereasthe solid version a solid surface for cutting or other culinaryoperations may be performed.

Referring to FIGS. 15, 16 and 17, embodiments of an expandable partitionare generally shown at 600 and 601. The expandable partition 600 maycomprise a first slidable element 610 of a given length and width,having a first side 611 and a second side 612, a top side 613, a bottomside 614, a first edge 615, a second edge 616; a second slidable element620, of a given length and width, having a first side 621, a second side622, a top side 623, a bottom side 624, a first edge 625, a second edge626. The first slidable element 610 may further comprise at least onerail 619 or any similar such profile located on one of either of thefirst side 611 and second side 612, which may be received in acorresponding groove 629 located in one of either the first side 621 andsecond side 622 of the second slidable element 620, whereby a user canadjust the length of the expandable partition 600 to a desired length.An integral locking mechanism whereby, the first and second slidableelements 610 and 620, respectively may be tensionably maintained in apredetermined configuration by a protuberance 640 located on the profile619 and received by a recess 630 located in the groove 629. In anotherembodiment, the protuberance 640 is located in the groove 629 andreceived by a recess 630 located in the profile 619. The first andsecond slidable element top sides, 613 and 623, respectively may have aplurality of recesses of a given shape, to accommodate at least oneutensil selected from a group of utensils consisting of forks, knives,spoons, spatulas, whisks, bottle openers, can openers, scissors,strainers, brushes, tongs, pot holders, handles, thermometers, skewers,presses, mallets, mashers, basting equipment and measuring utensils;wherein the alignment of these recesses may be through sliding eachelement to achieve alignment. The first slidable element first end 615and second end 616; and the second slidable element first end 625 andsecond end 626, wherein the aforementioned first and second slidableelement ends are opposing ends, may further comprise a protuberance 640on each opposing end that may be received in a recess in a normalposition located within the expandable drawer organizer 10 (FIG. 17)base tray 100, first nesting tray 200 and second nesting tray 300 asdetermined by the user. In another embodiment the expandable partition600 may have recesses 630 located on the opposing ends that are engagedby protuberances located in expandable drawer organizer 10 base tray100, first nesting tray 200 and second nesting tray 300 as determined bythe user. The expandable partition 600 may be constructed of wood,metal, plastic or any combination thereof that provide suitablestructural properties to accommodate the aforementioned construction andprovide the desired rigidity. The method of adjoining each of theaforementioned sides may be by any means know in the Mechanical Artssuch as welding, soldering, brazing, the use of fasteners, rivets,screws, nails, or the use of adhesives. The expandable partition 600 mayalso be manufactured by such techniques as extrusion, cold formingmethods i.e., bending, braking, shearing, cutting or hot forming methodsi.e., casting or extrusion or combinations thereof that may yieldsimilar construction. An alternate embodiment is generally shown at 601(FIG. 16) wherein a distinction is made between the first slidableelement 610 which may comprise a plurality of recesses of a given shape,to accommodate at least one utensil selected from a group of utensilsconsisting of forks, knives, spoons, spatulas, whisks, bottle openers,can openers, scissors, strainers, brushes, tongs, pot holders, handles,thermometers, skewers, presses, mallets, mashers, basting equipment andmeasuring utensils, which is slidably engaged with a second slidableelement 620 that serves to maintain the positional alignment of thefirst slidable element 610 with the expandable drawer organizer 10 (FIG.17) without regard to registration of the topside configuration toaccommodate utensils.

Referring to FIGS. 18, 19 and 20, other embodiments of the base tray andfirst nesting tray of the expandable drawer organizer 10 are generallyshown at numbers 102 and 202 (FIG. 18), numbers 103 and 203 (FIG. 19),and numbers 102 and 204 (FIG. 20), in various two tray arrangements(FIGS. 18, 19 and 20).

Referring to FIG. 18 an embodiment of the expandable drawer organizer isgenerally shown at number 10. The expandable drawer organizer 10 asrepresented in the present embodiment comprises a channeled base tray102 and a first nesting tray 202. The channeled base tray 102 and thefirst nesting tray 202 further comprising substantially similarconstruction to base tray 100 (FIG. 1) and first nesting tray 200 (FIG.2), respectively; with the addition of a channel 670 being incorporatedinto an external surface of at least one of either the front side panel140 and rear side panel 150; wherein the channel 670 may be engaged by astud 675 located in the internal surface of a corresponding firstnesting tray 202 front side panel 240 and rear side panel 250. Thechannel 670 may comprise an elongated slot of a predetermined lengththat may have an internal cross-sectional shape selected from a groupconsisting of the letters C, E, I, M, N, S, U, V, W and Z. The stud 675may be of a given size and have a shape that directly correlates withthe channel 670 cross-sectional shape, so as to provide slidableagreement throughout the length of the channel 670. In anotherembodiment the channel 670 may be incorporated into at least one ofeither the internal front side 240 and rear side 250 wall of the firstnesting tray 202 and the corresponding side of the base tray 102 furthercomprising a stud 675, which is in slidable agreement with the channel670. The stud 675 may comprise any material of construction such aswood, metal, plastic, stone or any other non-deformable material knownin the Mechanical Arts that is suitable for directing a tray possessinga channel about a given length. The stud 675 may be attached by any suchmeans as welding, soldering, brazing, ultrasonic welding, adhesivebonding, riveting, screwing, bolting, friction-pressure fittingtechniques, nailing or any other acceptable means known in theMechanical Arts that are acceptable given the materials of constructionof the expandable drawer organizer 10. The stud 675 may be received inthe channel 670 wherein additional stability for the expandable drawerorganizer 10 is realized throughout the range of operation. When thisfeature is taken together with the locking mechanism 50 (FIG. 4-6) theexpandable drawer organizer 10 presents the user with additionalrigidity and precision of operation. This aspect becomes more apparentto a user when the expandable organizer 10 is extended to theapproximate limits of its length. The channel 670 and stud 675 serve toprovide a means of cross-lateral stabilization and may additionallyserve to prevent the unwanted disengagement of the base tray 102 andfirst nesting tray 202 upon expansion to the limit of the expandabledrawer organizer 10. In another embodiment the expandable drawerorganizer 10 may comprise a second nesting tray further comprising astud 675 located in at least one of either the internal surface of thesecond nesting tray front side panel 340 and rear side panel 350, whichmay be in slidable agreement with the channel 670 of the base tray 102.In another embodiment the expandable drawer organizer 10 may comprise asecond nesting tray further comprising a channel 670 located in at leastone of either the internal surface of the second nesting tray front sidepanel 340 and rear side panel 350, which may be in slidable agreementwith the stud 675 of the base tray 102.

Referring to FIG. 19 an embodiment of the expandable drawer organizer isgenerally shown at number 10. The expandable drawer organizer 10 asrepresented in the present embodiment comprises a ledged base tray 103and a ledged first nesting tray 203. The ledged base tray 103 and theledged first nesting tray 203 further comprising substantially similarconstruction to base tray 102 (FIG. 18) and first nesting tray 202 (FIG.18), respectively; with the addition of a widened ledge located aboutthe base tray 103 first side panel edge 126 and the first nesting tray203 first side panel edge 226. The substantially widened ledge providesfor the expandable drawer organizer 10 to securely rest upon the topmostedge of a drawer side, where it may be slid to the front or rear of thedrawer to reveal other items stored below the expandable drawerorganizer 10. The respective first side panel edges 126 and 226 mayfurther comprise a contact surface of a given shape, wherein theincorporation of a durable non-abrasive material into the underside ofthe ledge is contemplated in at least one location, which is in directcontact with drawer topmost edge. This contact surface may be selectedfrom a group of anti-friction materials consisting of TEFLON®, melamine,plastic, polished marble, felt and polished metal. In anotherembodiment, one or more casters may be incorporated in at least onelocation about the length of the ledges of the respective first sidepanel edges 126 and 226, to permit the expandable drawer organizer 10 toroll about the topmost edge of the drawer. In another embodiment of theexpandable drawer organizer 10, a second nesting tray bearingsubstantially similar construction to the first nesting tray 203 isenvisioned, wherein it is located opposite the first nesting tray 203and in slidable agreement with the base tray 102.

Referring to FIGS. 20 and 22 an embodiment of the expandable drawerorganizer is generally shown at number 10. The expandable drawerorganizer 10 as represented in the present embodiment comprises achanneled base tray 102 and a first nesting tray 204. The channeled basetray 102 (FIG. 18) as previously described and the first nesting tray204, further comprising substantially similar construction to firstnesting tray 202 (FIG. 18), with the addition of at least one cleatrecess 230 located in the first nesting tray 204 bottom panel 210 in alocation that affords a cleat 232, which may further comprise a givenshape that coincides with one of either an auto-adjusting expandablepartition 602 (FIG. 20) or an angular partition 603 (FIG. 22), to bereceived into the cleat recess 232. The first nesting tray 204 mayfurther comprise additional front side panel recesses 270 and rear sidepanel recesses 272, which may be further arranged in a parallel row withinterposing recesses that will afford the auto-adjusting expandablepartition to be mounted in an angular or perpendicular fashion. Inanother embodiment the base tray 102 may have at least one row ofrecesses located in the interior walls of front side panel 140 and rearside panel 150, to accommodate the mounting of either an auto-adjustingexpandable partition 602 (FIG. 20) or an angular partition 603 (FIG.22). The angular partition 603 (FIG. 22) may comprise a front side 690,a rear side 696 with an attached foot 692 and protuberances 510 locatedabout the edges of the front side 690 that correspond to recesses 270and 272 located in the first nesting tray 204. In another embodiment,the front side 690 may have a recess provided to accommodate a cleat232. In another embodiment of the expandable drawer organizer 10, atleast one of either the base tray 102 and the first nesting tray 202(FIG. 18) may have at least one angular shelf permanently mountedtherein. The angular shelf may be comprised of similar materials ofconstruction as the expandable drawer organizer 10 and may be affixed byany such means as welding, soldering, brazing, ultrasonic welding,adhesive bonding, riveting, screwing, bolting, friction-pressure fittingtechniques, nailing or any other acceptable means known in theMechanical Arts that are acceptable given the materials of constructionof the expandable drawer organizer 10. The configuration of the angularshelf may comprise a variety of shapes to accommodate specificcontainers and accommodate individually packaged items to permitoptimization of their storage. In a variant of this embodiment thepartition may comprise a panel of a given length having a plurality ofslots or recesses to receive a slotted non-expandable divider of a givenlength and configuration or another expandable divider oriented suchthat slotted elements are in agreement which may normally engageadjacent partitions, panels or the sides of the drawer directly.

Referring to FIG. 21 an embodiment of an auto-adjusting expandablepartition is generally shown at 602. The auto-adjusting expandablepartition 602 may comprise a receptacle 650 further comprising a housingof a given length, height and width, having a first side 651 and asecond side 652, a top side 653, a bottom side 654, a first edge 655, asecond edge 656; an extension element 660 further comprising a housingof a given length, height and width, having a first side 661, a secondside 662, a top side 663, a bottom side 664, a first edge 665, a secondedge 666 and a spring 680. The receptacle 650 forms a hollow housing ofa given size and shape that is slightly larger than the external shapeof the extension element 660 whereby the extension element 660 alsocomprising hollow construction may receive a formed spring 680 wherebythe spring may exert a tensionable force upon the receptacle 650 and theextension element 660. The force exerted by the spring 680 serves todrive the receptacle 650 and the extension element 660 in oppositedirections and allows the auto-adjusting expandable partition 602 tomaintain it position within the expandable drawer organizer 10 or adrawer. The receptacle 650 may further comprise at least one stud 675 orany similar such profile located on one of either of the top side 653and bottom side 654, which may be received in a corresponding channel670 located in one of either the top side 663 and bottom side 664 of theextension element 660, whereby a user can position the auto-adjustingexpandable partition 602 and allow it to expand to a length dictated bythe dimensional limitations of drawer or other such space. Anotherembodiment employs at least one protuberance 510 located on the secondedges 655 and 665 of the receptacle 650 and the extension element 660,which correspond to a group of recesses selected from 270 and 272; 370and 372 (FIG. 3); and recesses located in the interior walls of frontside panel 140 and rear side panel 150. In another embodiment theprotuberance 510 may be maintained at constant force via spring loading.In another embodiment, the expandable partition may comprise a varietyof shapes to accommodate specific containers and accommodateindividually packaged items to permit optimization of their storage. Ina variant of this embodiment the partition may comprise a panel of agiven length having a plurality of slots or recesses to receive aslotted non-expandable divider of a given length and configuration oranother expandable divider oriented such that slotted elements are inagreement which may normally engage adjacent partitions, panels or thesides of the drawer directly. This aspect directly overcomes theprevious need for a customized drawer tray configuration, whilesimultaneously maintaining the desired interchangeability of theorganizer between drawers of differing dimensional constraints.

While the embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein arepresently considered to be preferred, various changes and modificationscan be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. The scope of the present invention is indicated in theappended claims, and all changes that come within the meaning and rangeof equivalents are intended to be embraced therein.

1. An expandable drawer organizer comprising: a base tray having a frontside panel and a rear side panel substantially parallel with each otherconnected with a first side panel and a second side panel substantiallyparallel with each other, wherein at least one of the front side panel,a rear side panel, a first side panel and the second side panelcomprises at least one recess; and a first nesting sized to receive thebase tray, wherein the first nesting tray comprises at least oneprotuberance, wherein the protuberance engages the recess undersubstantially constant force.
 2. An expandable drawer organizercomprising: a base tray having a front side panel and a rear side panelsubstantially parallel with each other connected with a first side paneland a second side panel substantially parallel with each other, whereinat least one of the front side panel, a rear side panel, a first sidepanel and the second side panel comprises at least one protuberance; anda first nesting tray having a bottom panel having a width slightlygreater than a distance between the first side panel and second sidepanel, that will permit the base tray to be slidably received in spacedrelationship, wherein the first nesting tray comprises at least onerecess, wherein the protuberance engages the recess under substantiallyconstant force.
 3. An expandable drawer organizer comprising: a basetray including a recess; a first nesting tray including a protuberance,the protuberance engaging the recess under a substantially constantforce.
 4. The organizer of claim 3 wherein the base tray includes atleast a first partition.
 5. The organizer of claim 4 wherein the firstnesting tray includes at least a first partition.
 6. The organizer ofclaim 3 wherein the first nesting tray includes at least a firstpartition.
 7. The organizer of claim 3 wherein the base tray includes atleast a first channel and wherein the first nesting tray includes atleast a second protuberance to mate with the first channel.
 8. Theorganizer of claim 7 wherein the base tray includes at least a firstpartition.
 9. The organizer of claim 8 wherein the first nesting trayincludes at least a first partition.
 10. The organizer of claim 7wherein the first nesting tray includes at least a first partition. 11.The organizer of claim 3 wherein the first nesting tray includes atleast a first channel and wherein the base tray includes at least asecond protuberance to mate with the first channel.
 12. The organizer ofclaim 11 wherein the base tray includes at least a first partition. 13.The organizer of claim 12 wherein the first nesting tray includes atleast a first partition.
 14. The organizer of claim 11 wherein the firstnesting tray includes at least a first partition.